Chapter 65 A Day of Splendor Cannot Hide the Setting Sun
Exclamations of surprise rose and fell.
Most of the people who came to celebrate the old Marquis's birthday today are of extraordinary background and naturally have extraordinary knowledge.
Apart from Mr. Yue Ming, Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, and Chen Yi, who were prepared in advance, the others were inevitably surprised.
Even the old man, who had been delighted, froze with a smile, staring at the calligraphy scroll and muttering to himself:
"Your calligraphy reveals your brilliance, your calligraphy reveals your brilliance... You old scoundrel Yue Ming, you knew all along?"
Leaving aside the birthday wishes on that calligraphy scroll, the characters themselves alone were enough to make him famous throughout Shu Prefecture.
If the words "new style" are added, it will only be a matter of time before his name is known throughout the Great Wei Dynasty.
Mr. Yue Ming ignored him, stroking his beard, his slightly cloudy eyes filled with excitement.
"This is it, this is it, the new style of characters that reveals the beauty of youth."
"Zhuo Ying, Huang Shi, did you see that? Did I deceive you?"
The teachers from Guiyun Academy next to him paid no attention to him. They got up and surrounded him, lining the characters with their fingers.
The Duke of Gan also wanted to go and see, but Sun Fu stopped him.
"Old Sun, what are you doing?"
Sun Fuchao gestured to Chen Yi, "The person writing is right here, why are you neglecting one thing for another?"
Zhang Xuan suddenly realized, gave him a knowing look, and then calmly sat down in his seat, saying in a low voice, "This time you're not allowed to stop me anymore, you have to help me."
Sun Fu knew he was referring to the birthday greetings, nodded, and looked at Chen Yi with great admiration.
"If all birthday celebrations are like this... I'd like a calligraphy copybook too."
Hearing the conversation between the two elders, Chen Yunfan was surprised that Yi Di could actually write such a new style of calligraphy.
Looking at Chen Yi, who still appeared calm, he felt a strange unease.
No wonder.
No wonder the Emperor sent an imperial edict; the White Tiger General's "Hidden Guards" are also...
Brother Yi, you've been targeted for a long time, but you're still unaware of it.
Chen Yi did not notice Chen Yunfan.
At this moment, the birthday banquet was in complete disarray because of his calligraphy, and he was having a headache about how to clean up the mess...
He was, to put it bluntly, having a headache about how to get back to Chunhe Garden.
This situation was truly beyond his original expectations.
Xiao Jinghong guessed a bit, "Husband, are you worried?"
Chen Yi nodded. "If word gets out about the calligraphy copybook, it will only create more trouble."
The two had been frank with each other before, and he had said that he only wanted to be a carefree son-in-law, so there was no need to hide it from Xiao Jinghong now.
Xiao Wan'er looked at the two of them, her eyes mostly fixed on Chen Yi.
Aside from admiring his talent, I couldn't help but feel a little strange—my brother-in-law was truly extraordinary.
If this were any other talented person, they would surely be pleased with themselves.
At the very least, we should be happy.
After all, the people gathered around that calligraphy scroll were teachers from Guiyun Academy, a renowned institution in Shu Prefecture and even the Great Wei Dynasty.
At this moment, Xiao Jinghong thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "Then I will step forward."
After speaking, she walked towards the servant, took the calligraphy scroll from his hand, and revealed a cold and aloof expression beneath her half-armor:
"Ladies and gentlemen, today is my grandfather's birthday banquet. We can discuss the calligraphy later. Please take a seat."
The gentlemen who were examining the calligraphy looked embarrassed, their faces flushed, and they immediately returned to their seats.
Seeing this, the others naturally stopped watching.
After calming himself down, Lord Xiao said, "It seems you all really like my grandson-in-law's calligraphy. However, today is my birthday, so please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
"Your Excellency is too kind; we were being presumptuous."
The old marquis smiled and beckoned, "Men, begin the banquet!"
Whether it was reckless or not is hard to say, but the birthday banquet went on anyway.
The feast begins, the dancing starts, and people drink, laugh, and chat—that's all there is to it.
The Xiao family members were naturally happy, especially the old Marquis.
He was originally worried that the Xiao family was now in decline and that he would experience the coldness of human relationships, but seeing that the situation today was still relatively good.
Besides celebrating his birthday, the most important thing was to introduce the guests to Xiao Wan'er, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge, the three members of the eldest son's family.
However, while the host is happy, the guests have much more complicated thoughts.
Especially those who had belittled and slandered Chen Yi before the birthday banquet due to the Emperor's oral decree, were mostly wilted like frostbitten eggplants after seeing that calligraphy.
No matter how much people around them laughed at them, they didn't say a word.
What else is there to say?
They misjudged it.
"I only learned today that the Xiao family's decision to have Chen Yi marry into their family was not arbitrary."
"Indeed, this young man's calligraphy alone is enough to make him famous throughout the Great Wei Dynasty."
"It's a pity. He's a son-in-law, and a son-in-law of a prestigious family like the Xiao family. I'm afraid he'll have a hard time using his talents in the future."
"Huh? My friend, have you forgotten what just happened? His Majesty's imperial edict."
"Yes, yes, so he..."
Some people praised and admired it, while others were displeased and unhappy.
Among the three garrison commanders of Shu Prefecture at the next table, Pang Xuan pressed down on Li Changqing and whispered, "Whatever you're thinking, swallow it back now!"
Li Changqing gritted his teeth, glanced at Chen Yi, and nodded, saying, "I understand, don't worry."
Pang Xuan was naturally worried, so he gestured to Ma Kui on the other side, telling him to keep an eye on Li Changqing.
He looked at Chen Yi, who was sitting with Xiao Jinghong as if nothing had happened, and remained silent.
To be fair, Chen Yi is indeed exceptional, and it's not like General Jinghong is marrying down with such a husband.
Chen Yi was well aware of all these things, but he pretended not to see or hear them and ate and drank quietly.
When someone comes over to chat, he responds with a few words.
He felt more at ease when no one came.
The birthday banquet didn't end until late afternoon, and the guests gradually dispersed.
Those of high status were escorted by members of the eldest son's family, while those of lower status were helped by members of the second son's family and collateral branches.
It took nearly half an hour to send these hundred or so people away.
Chen Yi was naturally not spared either. He joined Xiao Jinghong in seeing off the envoy from the capital city, the provincial governor, the provincial inspector, and several teachers from Guiyun Academy on behalf of the old marquis.
Li Huaigu deliberately stayed until the end, pleading with an unusual expression, "Brother Qingzhou, you must come to my wedding banquet with Yunxiang in a few days."
Chen Yi glanced at Mr. Yue Ming and the others who were staring at him expectantly, and nodded with a wry smile:
"Don't worry, Brother Fang Gui. Now that I've promised you, I will definitely be there."
It goes without saying that Li Huaigu's teachers and others put a lot of pressure on him.
After those people left, Chen Yunfan walked over, looked him up and down, and said:
“Yi-di is truly remarkable now. If we had known this would happen, Father and Mother would have valued you even more.”
Chen Yi sensed a hidden meaning in his words. After thinking for a moment, he said in a calm tone, "Those are all in the past. Now I am just a son-in-law of the Xiao family."
Chen Yunfan glanced at Xiao Jinghong and nodded with a smile: "That's how it should be."
After saying that, he took Chunying and left.
The elaborate birthday banquet then came to an end.
[Witness the birthday banquet of Marquis Xiao Yuan of Dingyuan; a day of dazzling splendor could not conceal the approaching twilight. Reward: Spear Technique - Falling Dragon (Earth Rank), Luck +90.]
[Comment: The arrival of the man was impressive, his presence was remarkable. He clashed with the Iron Wall Defender Li Changqing, and the couple entered together, earning praise from the Emperor of Wei, appreciation from the great scholar Yue Ming, astonishment from numerous guests, and admiration from Xiao Wan'er. Quite commendable.]
have to.
On the way back to Chunhe Garden, Chen Yi glanced at the words on the light screen. Despite receiving so much praise, it was still "acceptable".
This assessment is blatantly blind and truly deserves it.
However, he was quite satisfied, after all, he had gained a low-level spear technique and a considerable opportunity after a busy day.
"Enough for one person to break through to the Great Perfection."
In addition to the "Martial Arts Body" which has already reached the Great Perfection stage, there are now three Lesser Perfection stages: Footwork, Fist, and Medicine.
Thinking it over, Chen Yi decided to save the opportunity for later and make a decision after he had practiced the new spear technique.
At this moment, Xiao Jinghong noticed that he was lost in thought, and after thinking for a moment, asked, "Husband, are you still worried about the calligraphy copybook?"
Chen Yi snapped out of his reverie, smiled, and shook his head: "It's too late to dwell on it now. I just think today's birthday banquet... was quite lavish."
Even a day of prosperity can be considered prosperity.
However, I couldn't help but be concerned about the phrase "the sun sets in the west" in the following line.
He wasn't sure whether the so-called "twilight in the west" referred to the old master or the entire Xiao family.
Xiao Jinghong had no doubts. "Today's guests are all close to my Xiao family. It is indeed a pleasure for both host and guests."
Xiao Wuge, standing beside him, nodded with a smile: "Grandfather's prestige is as strong as ever."
Even Pei Guanli, who was lagging behind them, chimed in, "The birthday banquet is indeed very fun, unlike in our mountains, where people just kill chickens and sheep, sing, and dance when they celebrate their birthdays."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong turned to look at her, clearly recalling her earlier antics.
“In a few days, I will be going to the mountain tribe to discuss trade with your grandmother. You will come back with me.”
"ah?"
Pei Guanli was startled and jumped to Chen Yi's side, holding his hand tightly.
"I don't want to go back, I haven't had enough fun yet."
Xiao Jinghong stared at her… Chen Yi's hand, then looked at the innocent-looking Chen Yi and calmly said:
"Husband, please move aside a bit."
(End of this chapter)
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